Fortune quoted former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg as saying, “Americans are not walking away from the Paris climate agreement.”
Bloomberg is the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change. In a press release, the foundation states it will also work with other governments and philanthropies that may be interested in supporting the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at this critical time.
CNN is reporting that Patricia Espinosa, the executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, called the Bloomberg Philanthropies financial commitment “crucial.”
“In order to achieve Paris in full and deliver a low emission, resilient and more secure future for every man, woman, and child, it is very encouraging to see that all actors reaffirm their willingness to work together,” Espinosa said.
Bloomberg is said to have amassed a fortune worth $50 billion, and his Philanthropic Foundation has long worked on environmental initiatives. And while he has been associated with the Republican and Democrat parties, he now considers himself to be an Independent.
Bloomberg also believes that “non-state actors” will be able to meet the UN emissions target without the federal government’s help. In a draft letter to U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, Bloomberg wrote: “The bulk of the decisions which drive U.S. climate action in the aggregate are made by cities, states, businesses, and civil society. Collectively, these actors remain committed to the Paris accord.”
